One Summer by David Baldacci

One Summer by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this stand alone novel by David Baldacci!!! Jack and his daughter Mikki were such great characters, they are flawed but sincere going through a very devastating family crisis. I could not put this book down; it beautifully covers death, grief, family and family problems. I loved the resolution of this story of one man's grief and how moving to a summer home changes his life.

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Stargazing by Jen Wang

Stargazing by Jen Wang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jen Wang really knows the graphic novel format and she just grabs the reader and brings them into a new and different world. Based very loosely on something that happened to Jen as a child, the illustrations and story movingly tell a story of friendship, empathy, and a journey between new friend, Moon and Christine. A book all should read.

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Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I totally enjoyed this debut novel from Justin A. Reynolds and the time travel element and romance aspect kept me turning the pages! Jack King is a nerd who doesn't ever get what he wants (totally in love with his best friend who happens to be dating his other best friend) until he meets Kate at a party. I laughed, I ached, and totally enjoyed the time travel aspect as Jack tries to "keep" Kate. I loved the best friends, the families, and what we will do for love!

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Tell Me Something Real by Calla Devlin

Tell Me Something Real by Calla Devlin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this wrenching book for The Hub Reading Challenge (William Morris Award) about 3 sisters and their father who are losing their mother to leukemia. They live in San Diego and commute to Mexico for Laetrile (banned in US) treatments. While there they meet people who come to feel special to them. One boy, Caleb and his mom, Barb, end up moving in and helping Adrienne, Vanessa, Marie cope with their hellish life that has been torn apart by this devastating illness. Vanessa, the middle child tells the story and it is her love of piano that helps her daily to deal with the leukemia and what it is doing to their mother. It is Caleb who is in remission from lymphoma who becomes her lifeline, support, and reality when another insidious truth becomes reality. I could not put this book down, I rooted for the sisters to survive their journey and be "safe and free" LOVED LOVED this book; a must read. Teens will love these sisters.

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Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I want everyone I know to read this book! I am not going to share too much because I want YOU to read it but I will say a few things:) Nicola Yoon's debut novel is WOW! I loved the cover and the words at the top "The greatest risk is not taking one" and this defines Maddy, Olly & Carla. They took risks, and what happened??? Well, you have to read this 310 page book of awesomeness and you will fall in love with the story, characters, themes and ESPECIALLY her husband, David Yoon's spectacular illustrations- they are key to who Maddy is and this book is BETTER for David Yoons's participation. Join #yabookchat and @bookfin Sunday 11/1 at 9pm EST for a twitter chat, you will be hooked on books.

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